MADERA COUNTY DAIRY TO DEMONSTRATE
NEW, ENERGY EFFICIENT FANS

MADERA - Senator Dick Monteith (R-Modesto) and
Assemblyman George House (R-Merced) announced today that the
James A. Areias dairy in Chowchilla will soon be cutting its
energy expenses, thanks to a $69,680 low-interest State loan
from the California Energy Commission.

In a demonstration energy efficiency project, the dairy
will install 15 high volume, low speed fans in their four
barns.

"Now utilized in Arizona dairies, the fans are new to
California dairy producers," explained Senator Monteith.
"They look much like ceiling fans, only with a 20-foot
diameter. Because they turn at 50 revolutions per minute,
they use one-fourth less energy than conventional
agricultural fans and should save the dairy $10,700 a year
in electricity costs."

"Since cooler cows have less stress and better maintain
milk production, this technology should work well in the
Central Valley," said Assemblyman House. "Once the fans are
installed, the Energy Commission will monitor and evaluate
their performance. Information about cost benefits and
energy savings is then shared with other area dairymen
through on-site workshops."

The Areias dairy has 550 cows and milks 22 hours a day.
Just from the electricity savings generated by the new
ventilation system, the operation should recover the total
cost of the project in six-and-a-half years.